THE recent tragic deaths of Ronaldo Peters and Keon Fogenay in Linden have once again cast a harsh spotlight on the relationship between law enforcement and citizens in Guyana.
These are not just isolated incidents — they are human tragedies that have torn through families and shaken an entire community to its core.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s visit to Linden, and his personal engagement with the grieving families, was both necessary and welcome. It demonstrated leadership rooted not only in authority, but in empathy. In times like these, words of comfort matter — but action matters even more.
The President’s pledge of government support — not just financially, but emotionally and psychologically — is a vital step. These families have not only lost sons, fathers, and brothers, but they now face the added burden of trauma, uncertainty, and in the case of children left behind, an altered future.
But beyond grief lies another undeniable reality: accountability.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of both Peters and Fogenay demand nothing less than a full, transparent, and independent investigation.
The President’s commitment to having the Regional Security System (RSS) lead this probe is a promising start. Independence is crucial here, because the credibility of the investigation will determine whether trust can be rebuilt — not only in Linden, but across Guyana.
The CCTV footage contradicting parts of the police account in Peters’ case is disturbing. Likewise, the police response to protesters — which resulted in the death of Fogenay — raises serious questions about the use of force, crowd control tactics, and crisis management.
Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect and serve — not escalate situations to deadly ends.

Yet, as the dust settles over Linden’s streets and the debris of protest is cleared, one thing is certain: justice cannot be selective. Justice cannot be cosmetic. And justice cannot only arrive after public outrage.
This moment calls for systemic introspection. How do we ensure that no mother, no child, no community ever has to experience this pain again? It starts with accountability. It continues with reform. And it must be sustained by ongoing engagement between state authorities and the people they are meant to serve.

To the residents of Linden: Your grief is justified. Your anger is understandable. But President Ali’s appeal for peace, coupled with his assurance of independent investigation, must be given space to work. Justice is best served in clarity, not chaos.